Protest Poetry #1: “Patriot”

Bilingual poetry in support of the protests in Bulgaria. English version from Anthology of Bulgarian Poetry (translated by Peter Tempest)

Patriot

No sacrifice he deems too small
For freedom or education
Self-sacrificing? Not at all.
He sacrifices the nation.

Good turns he does to young and old –
For a consideration.
He’s only human — why, his soul
He sells, cash down, to Satan.

A Christian of good repute,
He goes, not just at Christmas,
To church, for it’s beyond dispute
That God is good for business.
Good turns he does to one and all —
For a consideration.
He’s only human – why, he pawns
His wife to save his bacon.

The fellow has a heart of gold:
Over the poor he watches
But brothers, let the truth be told:
The wealth you make he snatches.
There’s nobody he will not help –
For a consideration.
He’s only human… His own flesh
He eats with approbation!

Hristo Botev, 1873

Патриот

Патриот е – душа дава
за наука, за свобода;
но не свойта душа, братя,
а душата на народа!
И секиму добро струва,
само, знайте, за парата,
като човек – що да прави?
продава си и душата.

И е добър християнин:
не пропуща литургия;
но и в черква за туй ходи,
че черквата й търговия!
И секиму добро струва,
само, знайте, за парата,
като човек – що да прави?
залага си и жената.

И е човек с добро сърце:
не оставя сиромаси;
но не той вас, братя, храни,
а вий него със трудът си!
И секиму добро струва,
само, знайте, за парата,
като човек – що да прави?
изяда си и месата.

Христо Ботев, 1873